Programs & Projects
⮑ Convenne → Listen → Plan → Support → Growth → Empower ↩
Most SWA projects follow a development path: SWA and the community identify a need, gap, or opportunity; SWA convenes partners and supports them to plan, build, and carry out solutions; SWA stays involved until the work is operational and can be continued by local or regional partner organizations for the long term. In other cases, SWA works with regional partners to pilot services or solutions locally that can then be extended into our area for the long term.
SWA also refers underserved South Wasco residents to existing services and keeps relationships with regional support services so people get a “warm handoff” when they need one.
Note: The SWA project filter tool is currently Under Construction and will be added soon.
2024 Community Health Assessment for Hood River and Wasco Counties
Every five years, the CGHC facilitates the development of the community health assessment (CHA) on behalf of PacificSource Community Solutions (PacificSource) Columbia Gorge Coordinated Care Organization (CCO).
Family Resource Survey results
In June 2024, South Wasco Alliance partnered with local and regional stakeholders to identify key opportunities for youth and family support.
Participating organizations included the South Wasco and Dufur school districts, Papalaximisha, Mid-Columbia Children’s Council, the Columbia Gorge Community College Childcare Partners program, YouthThink, the Play & Learn at Home program, the Columbia Gorge Education Service District.
Two projects resulted from the alignment efforts:
A parent survey to find out what parents need, starting with an inventory of what’s already available; and
Expansion of a volunteer tutoring program at the South Wasco County School District
Other Food-System Work
A school backpack pilot; support for local small farmers; securing stipends and transportation for South Wasco leaders to attend the OSU Small Farmers Conference.
Head Start community garden (Tygh Valley Head Start)
Piloted in 2021 with support from the Collins Foundation, Columbia Gorge Food Bank, the Soil and Water Conservation District, and OSU Wasco County Master Gardeners.
Farm-to-Pantry Program
Started by SWA in 2023 and funded by the Columbia Gorge Food Bank. Operations moved from SWA to the Maupin food pantry (Life Raft) over two years.